Dugout Discussion

Bale benched as Grealish makes first start since Gameweek 24

Gameweek 37 has seen not only the welcome return of home supporters to Premier League grounds but also the revisiting of simultaneous kick-offs.

There are three top-flight fixtures getting underway at 18:00 BST this evening: Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United v Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa.

Crystal Palace’s clash with Arsenal begins an hour later, meanwhile.

The headline story from north London is the benching of Gareth Bale (£9.2m) – something that Ryan Mason had hinted was a possibility when he faced the media on Tuesday.

Giovani Lo Celso (£6.9m) is also only among the substitutes, with Harry Winks (£5.1m) and Steven Bergwijn (£7.0m) coming into the side.

Despite widespread rumours about his future, Harry Kane (£11.9m) is part of the Spurs team this evening.

Aston Villa are the visitors to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and Dean Smith’s troops will have Jack Grealish (£7.5m) in a Premier League starting XI for the first time since February.

Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) recovers from injury and Marvelous Nakamba (£4.3m) is recalled, as Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.2m), Douglas Luiz (£4.8m) and Jacob Ramsey (£4.5m) drop to the bench following the defeat to Crystal Palace.

There are two changes for Everton as Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.9m) and the fit-again Yerry Mina (£5.5m) come into the side.

Mason Holgate (£4.8m) is benched, while – surprise, surprise – there is no James Rodriguez (£7.7m) in the matchday squad.

Nuno Espirito Santo has run wild with the changes over the last two Gameweeks and has made another five of them this evening.

Goalkeeper John Ruddy (£4.3m) makes his first Premier League start of the season, while there are also appearances for Rayan Aït-Nouri (£5.0m), Rúben Neves (£5.1m), Willy Boly (£5.4m) and Max Kilman (£3.8m).

Rui Patricio (£5.3m) drops to the bench, along with Vitinha (£4.7m), Romain Saiss (£4.9m), Leander Dendoncker (£4.6m) and Ki-Jana Hoever (£4.4m).

This game comes too soon for Raul Jimenez (£8.1m), who had been seeing a medical consultant on Tuesday in a bid to get the all-clear from a long-term head injury.

Newcastle United are unchanged from their seven-goal thriller with Manchester City last Friday.

Opponents Sheffield United hand another start to teenage forward Daniel Jebbison (£4.5m) and have made just one change from Sunday’s win at Goodison Park.

Jayden Bogle (£4.3m) comes in for the injured George Baldock (£4.9m) at right wing-back.

Roy Hodgson makes two changes to his line-up for his final home game as Palace manager, with James Tomkins (£4.4m) and Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) returning to the side.

Jack Butland (£4.5m) is on the bench, with Eberechi Eze (£5.9m) out with a long-term injury.

Mikel Arteta has also made a couple of alterations to the side that beat Chelsea last time out.

Calum Chambers (£4.5m) replaces Pablo Mari (£4.4m) in defence, while Nicolas Pepe (£5.6m) is in for Martin Odegaard (£7.6m).


LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, Godfrey, Mina, Keane, Digne, Coleman, Doucoure, Allan, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Holgate, Delph, King, Iwobi, Nkounkou, Bernard, Andre Gomes, Davies, Olsen.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Ruddy, Boly, Coady, Kilman, Nelson Semedo, Joao Moutinho, Neves, Ait Nouri, Traore, Silva, Gibbs-White.

Subs: Hoever, Marcal, Rui Patricio, Willian Jose, Vitinha, Dendoncker, Sondergaard, Saiss.

Newcastle United XI: Dubravka, Dummett, Krafth, Fernendez, Shelvey, Ritchie, Murphy, Almiron, Willock, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.

Substitutes: Gillespie, Clark, Lewis, Manquillo, M Longstaff, Hendrick, S Longstaff, Carroll, Gayle.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Bogle, Stevens, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Fleck, Norwood, Osborn, Jebbison, McGoldrick.

Subs: Foderingham, Lowe, Jagielka, Gordon, Boyes, Lundstram, Seriki, Brunt, Brewster.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Tanganga, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon, Winks, Hojbjerg, Bergwijn, Alli, Son, Kane.

Subs: Hart, Doherty, Sanchez, Bale, Lamela, Lo Celso, Aurier, Moura, Ndombele.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Mings, Hause, Targett, McGinn, Nakamba, Grealish, Traore, Watkins, El Ghazi.

Subs: Steer, Taylor, Luiz, Wesley, Barkley, Elmohamady, Ramsey, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Mitchell, Townsend, Kouyate, McCarthy, Schlupp, Benteke, Zaha.

Subs: Butland, Van Aanholt, Ayew, Mateta, Clyne, Batshuayi, Kelly, Rak-Sakyi, Riedewald.

Arsenal XI: Len, Tierney, Gabriel, Saka, Aubameyang, Holding, Partey, Pepe, Chambers, Elneny, Smith Rowe.

Subs: Ryan, Ceballos, Lacazette, Odegaard, Willian, Cedric, Mari, Xhaka, Martinelli.

867 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Great team goal by Arsenal

  2. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Looking forward to Salah (c). Glad I avoided the Kane trap!

  3. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thanks for the 4 points DCL what a joke

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He'll score away to city when people sell or bench him.

      1. Call Me Old Fashioned
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        selling him to Nacho or Antonio

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    kane to who?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      United or City

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Watkins

  5. Steinburg FC
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    i disagree. He is a CB but the best RB in our squad...

  6. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I'm gonna win my ML at this rate XD

  7. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Come on Harry!

  8. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    DCL has been such a troll for me this season.

    DCL, Son, Podence killed my rank

  9. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any Pepe owners?

  10. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Digne closing in on 3 baps.

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hollld

  11. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pen cancelled for Wolves or not?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      VAR deemed not a clear and obvious mistake by ref.

  12. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Meslier over Willock proving to be right up there for my dumbest transfer award
    Son as Captain a contender for my dumbest captaincy award.
    I’m getting worse at this game

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Meslier over Willock yeah?

  13. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Siggy really going for a banger goal here

  14. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Just saw the score sheet, Watkins we gooo!!

  15. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bloody hell Arsenal could conceivably sneak 6th place. There are clubs more deserving of that spot on form over the season.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If they finish 6th then the points they will have got for finishing 6th would suggest they deserve to finish 6th.

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        the team who scores more wins the game

        1. Mighty Banana
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Unless you're Spurs.

    2. Steinburg FC
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      the only club deserving 6th is West ham

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        This

  16. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pickford is going to get a jammy save and nick the two BAPS?

  17. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dele so bad today, should had been a 45mins sub

    1. Steinburg FC
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      who has played well? lol

  18. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Absolutely bricking it over this Digne cleansheet. I'm absolutely desperate for it. Stomachs in bits.

    1. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nailed on cleanie here.

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I hope so. I'm so nervous lol

      2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        No don’t jinx

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      clean sheet confirmed well done

      1. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        100%

    3. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Wolves look like scoring.

    4. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      pls stop jinxing

    5. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Jeez you really need to get out more or a hobby if FPL does this to you

  19. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez ain't getting that Friedel record.

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Couple of penalty saves in the last 10 mins?

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Just catching up has Regi been playing for Villa?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If he has, he's played well.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        OG & A

  21. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How many points for stylish backheel? Got Saka and ESR in my team like it's still December.

  22. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Shocking from spurs. Devoid of confidence and shrinking in front of their supporters. Kane news may have also played a part. Lei assets are certainly a hold for the weekend

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Holding on to my triple LEI for the Spurs defense, surely even Vardy should get something against this

  23. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Siggy with an assist but not even in top10 for bonus pts in the match

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      too many missed shots from 30 yards

  24. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    willock off injured

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Get your facts straight pal. It’s ASM who’s injured

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        ASM off age ago bro, Willock just off

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Get YOUR facts straight. Both off injured.

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Why so serious?

          1. Eh, just one more thing ...
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Why so touchy?

            1. Milk, 1 Šuker
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Take a look in the mirror. Ending this conversation now the facts have been cleared up. Have a good one bud

      3. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Lol commented with such sass too

    2. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Page hadn’t refreshed and now it has I can see Willock IS off injured

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Coolio.

  25. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Come on Wolves, one poxy goal.

  26. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Oh well, one of these gameweeks when not a single result or goal is in your favour.
    And now to watch Salah and Mane haul for ML rival

  27. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    DCL absolute waste of bloody space

    1. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He is killing me, one of my main differentials in chasing a 1pt lead in my cash league

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yep same

  28. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Villa 19 shots lol

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Think Kane’s had less touches!

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Very Good news for Chelsea fans bcz opponents with tired legs

  29. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    No spurs players, no Man utd players.
    Safe to come out from behind the couch?

    1. Mighty Wings
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Definitely

  30. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have Salah as captain and need him to blank because ML leader has him TC and 7 points between us